No. 307 Squadron (RAF): Second World War

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No.307 'Lwowski' Squadron was a Polish manned night fighter squadron that was formed as a defensive unit but that ended the war as a night intruder squadron.

The squadron was formed in Lincolnshire on 5 September 1940 around a core of Polish aircrew. It was initially equipped with Defiant night fighters, and posted to the Isle of Man, where it became operational on 8 December, providing defensive cover over the Irish Sea.

In January 1941 the squadron moved to Squires Gate, and provided defensive cover over Liverpool and the Mersey. This was a short posting, and in March the squadron moved to the south-west. Beaufighters arrived in August 1941, and were used for a year and a half before being replaced with Mosquitoes in December 1942.

In May 1943 the squadron moved south, and began to fly night intruder missions over occupied France. In November the squadron moved to Lincolnshire, but continued to fly intruder missions, using foreword bases to extend its range.

In January 1945 the squadron changed role again, this time to become a bomber support unit. The squadron's Mosquitoes were used to intercept German night fighters attacking Bomber Command's aircraft. This role continued to the end of the war. The squadron was disbanded on 2 January 1947.

Aircraft
September 1940-August 1941: Boulton Paul Defiant I
August 1941-May 1942: Bristol Beaufighter IIF
May 1942-January 1945: Bristol Beaufighter VI
December 1942-January 1945: de Havilland Mosquito II
August-November 1943: de Havilland Mosquito VI
January 1944-January 1945: de Havilland Mosquito XII
October 1944-November 1946: de Havilland Mosquito 30

Location
September-November 1940: Kirton-in-Lindsey
November 1940-January 1941: Jurby
January-March 1941: Squires Gate
March-April 1941: Colerne
April 1941-April 1943: Exeter
April-August 1943: Fairwood Common
August-November 1943: Predannack
November 1943-March 1944: Drem
March-May 1944: Coleby Grange
May 1944-January 1945: Church Fenton
January-May 1945: Castle Camps
May-August 1945: Coltishall
August 1945-January 1947: Horsham St. Faith

Squadron Codes: EW (Mosquito)

Duty
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Books

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